 |
3507 Turnberry Lane,
Augusta, Ga. 30907
[Cel.
(706) 288-8900]
[Fax
(706) 854-8272]
Email:
bobbysc@aol.com |
Glossary
"A" |
| |
| Absolute
efficiency |
An arbitrary filter efficiency rating. |
Absolute Micron Rating
|
100% of all particles larger than the
stated micron size have been removed from the fluid being filtered. |
| Absolute Pressure |
Total pressure
measured from zero. |
Absolute
Temperature
|
The temperature of a body, at which point the volume
of an ideal gas theoretically becomes zero; e.g., absolute zero. (Fahrenheit
scale = - 459.67°F / Celsius scale = - 273.15°C). |
Absolute
Viscosity
(Dynamic)
|
The force measured in Newton required to move a fluid layer of one
square meter area and a thickness of one meter with a velocity of one
meter /second. |
| Absolute Zero |
The lower limit of
temperature; - 459.67°F / - 273.15°C |
| Absorb |
Where liquids or gases are
trapped by an absorbent material. |
Absorption
|
The chemical process by which a hygroscopic desiccant, having a
high affinity with water, melts and becomes a liquid by absorbing the
condensed moisture. |
ACFM (Actual cubic
feet per minute) |
The flow rate of air at a specific point at a specific condition at that
point.
|
Acidity
|
The quality, state or degree of
being acid. With oils, acidity means the presence of acid-type constituents
whose concentration is usually defined in terms of neutralization number. |
| Activated Alumina |
An adsorption
desiccant material. |
Actual Capacity
|
Quantity of gas actually compressed and delivered to the
discharge system at rated speed and under rated conditions. Also called Free
Air Delivered (FAD). |
Adiabatic Compression
|
A type of
compression where no heat is transferred to or from the gas during the
compression process. |
Adiabatic Efficiency
|
Ratio between
measured shaft power and the adiabatic compression power, referring to
measured mass flow. |
Adsorb
|
A method causing a liquid or gas
to condense on the surface only of an adsorbing material. |
Adsorbent Filter
|
A filter medium
primarily intended to hold soluble and insoluble contaminants on its surface
by molecular adhesion. |
Adsorption
|
The process by which a
desiccant with a highly porous surface attracts and removes the moisture
from compressed air. The desiccant is capable of being regenerated.
|
Adsorptive Filtration
|
The attraction to,
and retention of particles in, a filter medium by electrostatic forces, or
by molecular attraction between the particles and the medium. |
| Aeration |
To combine or charge with gas. |
Back to Top
| Aerosol |
A suspension of fine solid or
liquid particles in a gas. |
Aftercooler
|
A heat exchanger used for cooling air discharged from a
compressor. Resulting condensate may be removed by a moisture separator
following the aftercooler. |
| Aftercooling |
The removal of heat from a
gas after compression is completed. |
Air
|
A colorless, odorless, tasteless
gas. A mixture of individual gases. The gaseous mixture surrounding the
earth. Standard density of dry air free of carbon dioxide (0°C, 101,325 kPa)
is equal to 1,292 8 g/L. Standard conditions for air in spectroscopy are
101,325 kPa, 15°C, 0,03 % CO2, dry. |
Air Actuator
|
An elastomeric bellow with
specially designed metal end closures used in place of pneumatic or
hydraulic cylinders. A device which induces action or motion with compressed
air being the medium through which the power is transmitted. |
Air Amplifier
|
A component on a
compressed air line designed to increase in magnitude the flow by releasing
small amounts of compressed air at high velocity through an internal, ring
shaped nozzle. This column of air released through the front creates a
vacuum behind, thus pulling ambient air through the rear and pushing ambient
air in front. |
Air Bearing
|
Load carrying machine
elements permitting some degree of motion in which the lubricant is air or
some other gas. |
| Air Borne |
Supported or transported by
air. |
Air Cooled Compressor
|
A compressor
cooled by atmospheric air circulated around the cylinders or casing. |
Air Curtain
|
A component on a compressed
air line that provides wide area coverage with a thin sheet of air. Also
amplifies compressed air flow and reduces noise. Used in blowing, cooling.
Also known as an air knife. |
Air Cylinder
|
A component made up of a
cylinder barrel, end covers, a piston rod, a steel or stainless steel
piston. A device which induces action or motion with compressed air being
the medium through which the power is transmitted. |
Air Dryer
|
A device for drying compressed
air by means of condensation obtained by over-compression or cooling,
absorption, adsorption or a combination of the above methods. |
Air Bubble Technique
|
When compressed air
is forced through a submerged perforated hose or pipe. Some applications
include; ice prevention, reduction of salt intrusion, underwater basting,
pneumatic breakwaters and general mixing and agitation. |
| Air Entrainment |
A condition whereby gas
(usually air) is dispersed in a liquid. |
| Air Flow |
The motion of air relative to a
body in it. |
Back to Top
Air Knife
|
A component on a compressed
air line that provides wide are coverage with a thin sheet of air. Also
amplifies compressed air flow, reduces noise. Used in blowing and cooling.
Also known as an air curtain. |
| Air Leak |
A crack or hole that
accidentally admits a gas or lets it escape. |
Air Lock
|
A device that permits passage
between regions of differing air pressures, most often used for passage
between atmospheric pressure and chambers in which the air is compressed. A
typical modern air lock consists of a cylinder of steel plate with airtight
doors located at both ends, one opening from the outside into the lock, the
other from the lock into the compressed-air chamber, together with valves to
admit or to exhaust compressed air. One of the doors must always be closed;
before the other is opened, the pressure within the air lock must be
equalized with that on the opposite side. |
Air Motor
|
Is a compact, low mass unit
giving smooth, non-vibrating power. Several types include vane, piston,
percussion and turbine type motors. |
Air Nozzle
|
A projecting aperture at the
end of a tube, pipe etc. serving as an outlet for compressed air. Reduces
the demand on the compressor by generating the highest thrust and volume for
the lowest possible air consumption. |
Air Preheater
|
Indirect heat exchanger
designed to transfer heat from combustion gas to the air stream added to the
combustion zone. |
| Air Pressure |
The total gas pressure
(static plus velocity). |
Air Receiver
|
A receptacle which serves
to store compressed air for heavy demands in excess of compressor capacity.
|
Alternating Current (AC)
|
An electrical
current that periodically reverses its direction. The standard in the USA
and Canada is 60 cycles/second. In Europe and other countries it is 50
cycles/second. |
| Altitude |
The elevation of a compressor
above sea level. |
Amagat's Law
|
States that the volume of a
mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial volumes which the
constituent gases would occupy if each existed alone at the total pressure
of the mixture. |
Ambient
|
Undisturbed environmental
surroundings, particularly to air and temperature. |
Ambient Environment
|
The conditions (e.g.
temperature and humidity) characterizing the air or other medium that
surrounds materiel. |
Ammonia
|
A colorless gaseous compound of
nitrogen and hydrogen used in refrigeration and in making of fertilizers and
explosives. Found in some ambient air conditions. |
Amonton's Law
|
States that the pressure
of a gas, at constant volume, varies directly with the absolute temperature. |
Ampere (AMP)
|
A unit of electrical
current or rate of flow of electrons through a conductor. One volt across
one ohm of resistance causes a current flow of one ampere. One ampere is
equal to 6.25 x 1018 electrons per second passing a set point in a circuit. |
| Anhydrous |
The state of being devoid of
water. |
Back to Top
| Ancillary Equipment |
Components
subordinate to the compressor. |
Anti-Pulsation Tank
|
Also known as a
pulsation damper, which is a small receiver fitted on the inlet or discharge
of a reciprocating compressor. The device is designed to remove the
resonance from the compressor; thereby, reducing noise. |
Approach Temperature
|
The difference in
temperature between the discharge from a cooler (intercooler or aftercooler)
and the inlet temperature of the cooling medium; usually air or water. |
Artificial Demand
|
Running a compressed
air system at a higher than needed pressure. |
ASHRAE
|
The American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., (ASHRAE) is an
International membership organization operated for the exclusive purpose of
advancing the arts and sciences of heating, refrigeration, air conditioning
and ventilation, the allied arts and sciences, and related human factors for
the benefit of the public. |
| A.S.M.E. |
American Society of Mechanical
Engineers |
A.S.T.M.
|
American Society For Testing
and Materials (ASTM) is a society of engineers devoted to developing
standards for materials and test methods. |
| Atmosphere (ATM)
|
The standard atmosphere
is defined as the pressure exerted by a column of mercury 760 mm high with a
density of 13,595 g/cm³ at the standard acceleration due to gravity of 9.8
m/s². The 760th part of this pressure unit is the "torr". The technical
atmosphere (at) denotes the pressure of a force of 1 kg acting on an area of
1 cm². |
Atmospheres absolute
(ATA)
|
The
weight of the column of air existing above the earths surface at 45° Lat and
sea level and is equivalent to 14.696 psiA or 1.0333 kg/sq cm. Equals
atmospheres gauge plus 1. |
Atmospheric Dew Point
|
The temperature at
which water vapor begins to condense at atmospheric pressure. Is the same as
dew point, but is related to atmospheric air only. |
| Atmospheric Pressure
|
The measured ambient pressure for a specific location
and altitude; weight of the earth's atmosphere over a unit area of the
earth's surface; measured with a mercury barometer at sea level. which
corresponds to the pressure required to lift a column of mercury 760 mm. |
Atomize
|
The breaking-up of paint into
fine particles or droplets by a paint gun using compressed air. |
| Attenuation |
The use of a sound barrier
separating the sound from the receiver. |
Automatic Sequencer
|
A device which
operates compressors in sequence according to a programmed schedule.
|
Avogadro's Law
|
States that equal volumes
of all gases under the same conditions of pressure and temperature contain
the same number of molecules. |
Axial Compressor
|
A compressor belonging
to the group of dynamic compressors characterized by having its flow in an
axial direction. |
|
|
